Semi-dupe thread - MF Folder (edit: was "RF") advice

How about Minolta folders? I see a few variants of those out on fleabay, I think they’re all 4.5x6 format? …

guangong said:

The weakness of all folders, with the exception of Zeiss folders, is the lens erecting mechanisms. This includes my now overpriced Fuji GF670. The only other “folder” with no potential lens erecting problem is my Makina 67, since lens doesn’t fold but slides in and out.

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The mechanism on the Certo 6 is pretty robust.

P C Headland said:

The mechanism on the Certo 6 is pretty robust.

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Not a question of robustness, but one of design. That being said, the Certo 6s are nice cameras.

Update and a bump - I got a beautifully CLA'd Agfa Isolette iii this summer from @Alex Varas here (new bellows and everything) and I'm quite happy with that camera, so I have 6x6 covered until I start collecting more. Now I want to find a 6x9 for some other shooting - suggestions and comparisons in that realm, anyone? Agfa, Zeiss, other brands, various models and vintages...

Happy to read you like it and everything is fine,

About 6x9 folders... I have had/shot with:

Super Ikonta 531/16 - rangefinder coupled but hard to get the Opton Tessar coated lens. Otherwise Tessar uncoated.
Moskva 4 - copy of the previous one with coated lens, good lens I have to say, this model is better than Moskva 5 (too heavy).
Agfa Billy Record series, the last series the better with Solinar or Apotar, no rangefinder here.
Agfa Record III - uncoupled rangefinder as your Isolette III, quite pricey nowadays but really good lenses the Apotar or Solinar.
Voiglander Inos II - no rangefinder and uncoated lenses but both Skopar and Heliar are amazing lenses.
Voigtlander Bessa RF - coupled rangefinder and mostly with uncoated lenses, Helomar they say it's fine and Skopar and Heliar excellent lenses. Carefull with the struts here, camera is easly abused and if someone messed with the rangefinder it will be challenging to make it work again correctly.
Voigtlander Bessa - no rangefinder but Color-Skopar lens, did I say I like Skopar?
Voigtlander Bessa II - I never tried this one yet, coupled rangefinder and awesome lenses, pricey and cult camera.
Telka III - coupled rangefinder and 95mm lens!! Sagitar (Tessar type) lens is really good. Camera is a tank, really well made and very solid. It was a direct competitor to Bessa II. Great viewfinder! I think I need to get one...
Welta Weltur 6x9 - Coupled rangefinder and same window for viewfinder and rangefinder and big one. Perfect for left eyed people.
Rodenstock Clarovid - to avoid.

Probably there are more but I can't recall, let me know if you need my help getting any from EU in case you can't.

Most important is obviously the state of the lens, bellows, struts and film plate got put the film perfectly flat.

Bessa RF, cheaper than Bessa II, very light, fine lens. Agfa Record III, very light as well, fine lens. Moskva 5, heavier, fine lens as well, much cheaper, but you have to find one that hasn't been abused. If you can find a good one, it's sturdy and reliable. Have a look at my folders website for the specs https://www.120folder.com/compa.htm

I'm on my second Moskva 5, and I disagree, it's not too heavy, it's about right for steadiness. Mine have both had excellent lenses (coated Tessar type, 105/3.5) and accurate rangefinders, the current one has the 6x6 mask (though I've never used it; I have other 6x6 cameras and don't need the slightly longer lens in that format when I have an RB67 and 6x6 back for it). The only real improvement I could see for the Moskva 5 would be a single-window combined viewfinder/rangefinder -- but the Soviets never got around to that upgrade (which would surely have required redesigning the RF system; they built the Iskra instead).

That said, the best 6x9 images I've made were with my scale focus 1927 Voigtlander (yes, with uncoated Skopar 105/4.5). As simple as a folder can get, but the image quality is amazing.

Mamiya Six is my walk around folder. Owning a couple of Mamiya TLR's I feel your problem: they are brick shaped and cumbersome on the move. Mamiya 6 is not a lightweight but at least it's flat. Viewfinder is better than in Zeiss folders. Get one with usable case - you can't use strap without it.
camera wiki

Alex, and others who have worked with multiple flavors of the old beauties - do any stand out as better or worse to use with glasses and old eyes? Especially the rangefinder-equipped models, that makes a big difference for me.

I've worn glasses for nearly sixty years, and the only camera I've had trouble with in that regard is my Super Ikonta B 532/16.

If you can find one, the Balda Super Pontura is a fantastic camera -- coupled rangefinder, parallax correcting viewfinder, Tessar lens, Compur shutter. They were made for only a few years in the late 1930s so finding one is a chore and the market tends to price them accordingly.


More affordably, the Agfa Record III is a sweet camera. Melanie shot a lot of her best work on one.

Rolleiflexible said:

If you can find one, the Balda Super Pontura is a fantastic camera -- coupled rangefinder, parallax correcting viewfinder, Tessar lens, Compur shutter. They were made for only a few years in the late 1930s so finding one is a chore and the market tends to price them accordingly.

Super Pontura - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia

camera-wiki.org

More affordably, the Agfa Record III is a sweet camera. Melanie shot a lot of her best work on one.

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Indeed, Super Pontura is a remarkable camera. Separate windows for rangefinder and viewfinder but clear and big viewfinder.

For other folders my best choice (wearing glasses) if talking about viewfinders would be Super Ikonta with the reverse Galilean viewfinder, the lastest 531/2 model has frame lines for 6x9 and 6x4.5.
Other that I like is Welta Weltur, I can see the borders of the viewfinder, next would be Record III or Billy Record II.

Alex Varas said:

Rodenstock Clarovid - to avoid.

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Fwiw: It's identical to the Welta Solida 6x9 except is has Rodenstock-made triplet or Tessar-type lenses.